Palestinian security forces clashed with militants in the West Bank on Tuesday, leaving at least one civilian dead and several others injured, according to reports.
The violence erupted in the city of Nablus, where Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces attempted to arrest members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a militant group affiliated with the Fatah party. The group has been linked to several attacks against Israeli targets in the past.
Eyewitnesses reported that the clashes began when Palestinian security forces surrounded a residential building in Nablus, where several Al-Aqsa operatives were holed up. The militants, who were reportedly armed, resisted arrest and exchange fire with the security forces.
The violence quickly spread to other parts of the city, with reports of gunfire and explosions echoing through the streets. A hospitalized witness described the scene as “chaotic” and said that the city was “under siege.”
At least one civilian was killed and several others were injured, including a pregnant woman, according to reports. The victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, where they were treated for their wounds.
The Israeli military was quickly called in to assist the Palestinian security forces, and a statement from the Israeli military said that it had “deployed forces to the area to provide support and aid to the Palestinian security forces.”
The clashes are the latest in a series of violent incidents in the region, which have raised concerns about the stability of the fragile peace process. The Middle East is currently on high alert, with tensions running high due to the ongoing conflict in the nearby Gaza Strip.